When Sprint MVNO Zact shut down Aug 4, users had the option of migrating their numbers and phones to Virgin Mobile's new "Custom" service.

Like Zact, Virgin Mobile Custom lets users create customized plans from choosing between different amounts of voice minutes, text and data. Virgin Custom uses software from Zact parent ItsOn. While I'm sure some former Zact customers are happy with VM Custom, there seem to be a number of complaints. Some find Virgin Mobile customer service inferior to Zact's, light users arre finding that Custom is more expensive than Zact and roamers have discovered that off network roaming, which was included with Zact, costs extra on Custom.

For users who didn't make the switch to Custom and those who did and aren't happy it looks like at least some Zact phones will work on other Sprint MVNO Ting, which has a modular pricing structure similar to Zact and Virgin Mobile Custom's.

A post on Ting's forum confirms that the Zact Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Victory can be activated on Ting, Zact's LG Optimus Elite and LG Viper can't currently be used on Ting because they are running a custom Zact ROM that blocks the normal Sprint and MVNO activation process according to Ting. Zact's ZTE Awe may also work on Ting but has yet to be tested.

If Zact phones work on Ting I don't see any reason why they shouldn't also work on other Sprint MVNOs that support bring your own phone, including RingPlus, Expo Mobile, EcoMobile and ChitChat.

Before you can use a Zact phone on Ting or another MVNO. You must do two things:

1) Get you phone released from Zact/Virgin Mobile Custom. The best way to do that seems to be by calling Zact at 855-341-4662 and asking them to "deactivate" your phone. You will probably have to leave a voicemail but Zact has reportedly been good about returning calls. You can also contact Zact by email at cs@zact.com.

2) Disable the Zact ItsOn software:
Dialing ##3282# (#DATA#)
Click Edit
Enter your MSL (if you don't know it Ting will give it to you as part of the activation process)
Select ItsOn
Select Disable

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comments:

I picked up a photon q recently and have been very pleased with ting service. Data is overpriced but it is working very well for talk and text and very light (under 100 mb) data usage. Tax and fee add on is the biggest negative.

While Ting offers superior dashboard controls, many additional features at no extra charge and great C/S, VMC Minutes costs are 40-50% less than Tings and they pretty much match Ting's data rates, except VMC is a much better value after 2GB.That said, texting on VMC is costlier and it is certainly counter to attracting the younger crowd. Maybe VMC sees the higher rates for text to offset the lower costs for minutes and data, but I don't think parents/consumers are going to buy into that when texting is the majority of tweens/teens and even young adults usage.

VM has always charged too much for sms on limited plans. And you have to pay extra for roaming with Custom. Ting is the only Sprint mvno I would get again. Kajeet (limited plans) and Eco (for paygo) are good too, if you do not need roaming. They both have very good CS, almost as good as Ting. Kajeet dashboard controls are even better than Ting's.

The 100MB use and the roaming charge kind of skews it for the average user who does not really need roaming.Definitely is not cheaper for users under 250/250/250, but multiple lines with moderate use and no need to roam, it can be cost effective. Text is still way too high though.

iDeal Mobile is supposed to offer roaming at no additional charge, so that could be an option as well?

"Roaming Coverage: IDeal does not currently offer roaming service. In-network services are available nationwide. Out-of-network service, both internationally and domestically, is not available at this time."Ting is still less expensive with 500mb and taxes included, compared to VM Custom.

Of course, but if you are only using 100mb most months you are paying $3/month too much on AirVoice or H20. And you have to buy another phone. Sprint with roaming on Verizon (Ting) gives you the same or better voice and sms coverage as AT&T overall (your results may vary). And you can't have LTE on AirVoice or H20.

In the early days of cellular most plans were local plans. If you left your home area (usually a metropolitan area or a state) but were still on your carrier's network you were on-network roaming and calls cost extra. The local plans disappeared 8-10 years ago,

All I can say is that they (Rod) told me they had a roaming agreement with Verizon? I don't really roam much and their plans don't fit my needs so I won't be using them. Why don't you all call them and post what they tell you instead of speculating?

I just called Ideal. I asked if they supported off-network roaming and was first told that they do. However I gave the rep an Elko, Nevada zip code where postpaid Sprint roams and asked if I would be able roam there. The rep put me on hold for a little while and then came back and said that they do not actually support off-network roaming and an Ideal phone would not work in Elko.